Ric Bucher's NBA Offseason Moves Most Likely to Backfire

Mo led all bench players in assists last year. It wasn't just scoring.

 

Yeah, but Mo's AST% of 26.7% was much lower than the 33% Blake had with the Lakers. Blake also had significantly more AST/36, more APG and more AST/100 possessions. But, Blake was a starter, so yes Mo had more assists off the bench than Blake.

However, I bet most of Mo's assists came when he was playing with the starters, in particular Aldridge and Lillard, not when he was playing with the second unit. With the second unit, the offense was all Mo all the time, for better, or worse.

BNM

 

You had me at

 

Ive said it before but I feel like its lazy reporting. And I dont feel like there is any excuse for it with someone that's getting paid to do that job.

 

Once again you made another gem of a response! You should be one of the writers for S2! Repped.

 

Quoting myself, but I think this is the key for this team to take the next step. I think we're learning from the Spurs example. They have a system. They stick to that system no matter who is in the game. Their bench is made up of castoffs from other teams and guys they plucked out of nowhere. They put a strong emphasis on guys who are versatile (like Diaw), and guys who fit in their system and style of play. Most importantly, guys who are WILLING to play within that system 100% of the time. Guys who aren't are gone - see ya, Cap'n Jack.

Last year, our style of play changed dramatically, from one of unselfish play and great ball movement to Mo playing hero ball when our bench came in - see ya, Mo.

We have GREAT starters, the best in the league, but, as we all know, our bench was our Achilles heel last year. In order to take the next step, we need the continuity between our starters and our bench so that we don't have a huge drop off when the starters come out. It's not just about talent. It's about fit and a consistent style of play. I think our off season acquisitions were targeted specifically to achieve this continuity.

I also think it's why the team was not interested in bringing Mo back and also why Thomas Robinson is not in the current rotation. I do believe the decision to not pick up his 4th year option was to preserve cap space, but I also think if Robinson was a great fit in Stotts' system, they would have been more inclined to pick up his option. Leonard, as a jump shooting stretch 4 is a better fit and I think that's why he got consistent minutes during the preseason, and Robinson didn't.

BNM

 

It's because team ball isn't popular in the national media. They want and love the "hero-ball" players. How they jumped on AI's joke was a recent example. How about Kobe? They don't give a shit about Spurs, even now really. Each and every year they've written the Spurs off. It is the way of the dragon!

 

Yep, but I'd rather have the Spurs success than the media accolades, and I'm glad our management and coaching staff have chosen this route.

So, if our new bench can play the same offensive style as the starters, the next, next step is a consistent team defensive style. Again, the Spurs are the team to emulate. Because they have a system, on both ends of the court, that everyone from the GM to the coach to the superstars to the last guy on the bench has bought into, they are able to take guys like Patty Mills and Boris Diaw, who are NOT good individual defenders and make them fit within the structure of their team defense.

You're right, the casual fan doesn't want to watch defense, they want Lob City 24/7, but as a hardcore fan of basketball, the Spurs team defense during the playoffs last season was a thing of beauty. Their defensive rotations were as close to perfect as I've ever seen. They must work on that over and over in practice until it's second nature for everyone to know exactly where they are supposed to be on the court at all times.

BNM

 

I would too! Who cares if the media likes you? I think the better reward is becoming a team everyone fears; which was the case of the Spurs. That is the true model man. Who gives a shit about your personal attention when your team can and will win titles over the next 10 years?!?!